Ladder-scaffold.



J. K. F. RUOK.

LADDER SGAPFOLD.

APPLICATION FILED APB.15,1910.

Patented Aug. 2, 1910.

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JOHN K. F. BUCK, OF EAST ST. LOUIS, ILLINOIS.

LADDER-SCAEFOLD.

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Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented A11 2, 1910.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, J 011x K. F. BUCK, a subject of the Emperor of Germany, residing at East 'St. Louis, in the county of St. Clair and State of Illinois, have invented new and useful Improvements in Ladder- Scaftolds, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a scaffold to be used in connection with ordinary ladders, and it has for its object to provide a simple and convenient device of this class which may be folded into small compass for convenience in storing and carrying when not in use; which shall be simplev and easily applied; which will afford a firm support for a workman engaged in cornice work or other work that is outside the line of the building against which the ladder rests, and which, when applied, shall be firm and secure against accidental displacement.

W ith these and other ends in view which will readily appear as the nature of the invention is better understood, the same consists in the improved construction and novel arrangement and combination of parts which will be hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claim.

In the accompanying drawing has been illustrated a simple and preferred form of the invention, it being, however, understood that no limitation is necessarily made to the precise structural details therein exhibited, but that changes, alterations and modifications within the scope of the invention may be resorted to when desired.

In the drawing,Figure 1 is a side elevation showing the improved device extended for use. Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view showing the device folded. Fig. 3 is a perspective View slightly enlarged, showing the device extended for use and mounted in position upon a ladder, a portion of which has been shown.

Corresponding parts in the several figures are denoted by like characters of reference.

The improved device is mainly composed of straps or plates of sheet metal which may be readily stamped and bent to the desired shape, and it comprises side members 1, 1 which may be longitudinally slotted, as shown at 2, to reduce the weight, said side members being also provided with upturned flanges 3 to increase the strength thereof, the flanges 3 being formed at what may be regarded as the rear edges of the side members, and each flange extending inwardly or in the direct-ion of the opposite side member. Said side members are provided adjacent to their. upper and lower ends with oppositely disposed upwardly inclined notches 4 and 5 adapted for engagement with the rungs 6 of a ladder L, the side members of which are shown at 7 in Fig. 3.

Pivotally attached adjacent to the lower ends of the side members 1, 1 by means of pins or rivets 8 are arms or brackets 9 which may be folded in the direction of the flanges 3 upon the side members, as shown in Fig. 2, said arms being provided with strengthening flanges 10 which are connected by cross braces 11, the latter serving to keep the arms 9 properly spaced. The arms 9, 9 are connected adjacent to their outer ends by a rung or cross piece 12 secured by pins or bolts 13, which latter also serve to afford pivots for the foldable link braces 14:, the upper ends of which are pivotally conected by pins 15 adjacent to the notches 4 near the upper endsof the side members 1. The pins 15 extend through the side members 1 and serve to aflord pivots for the catch members 16, which may be described as consisting of hooks having pinengaging notches 17, each of said hooks or catch members being provided with a slot 18 engaging the pivot member 15. Each hook member is provided adjacent to its free end with a pin 19 adapted to be seated in a notch 20 at the upper end of the side member 1 upon which it is mounted. For additional security, the pins 19 may be provided with wing nuts, as shown at 20 in Fig.2, said nuts being adapted to be tightened upon the side members to prevent displacement of the parts.

The upper edges of the arms 9 may be provided with notches, as shown at 21, to accommodate the rung of a ladder upon which the device is mounted when said device is to be folded up fiat against the ladder.

To apply the device in position for operation, the notches 4E and 5 are placed in engagement with two adjacent rungs of a lad der, as shown in Fig. 3, and the hook members are then swung up into engagement with the uppermost of said rungs, after which it is slid downward until the pin 19 is seated in the recess 20. The device will thus be held securely against accidental displacement. lVhen the frame composed of the arms 9, braces 11 and cross piece 12 is pulled outward, as shown in Fig. 3, it affords a secure stand for workmen who may be engaged upon cornice work or other work outside the line of the building wall against which the ladder is supported. When the workman desires to descend, he may readily with the toe of one foot move the supporting frame to a position lying flat against the ladder, the folding link braces being readily collapsed to admit of such adjustment; the supporting frame will thus be moved out of the way, enabling the workman to descend readily. In ascending the ladder, the workman may likewise after he passes the scaffold portion move the supporting frame outward with his foot, as will be readily understood. The device is also capable of being manually adjusted, as will be readily understood.

This improved device is simple in operation and capable of being supplied at a very moderate expense. It is light and compact and may be readily carried from one place to another.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new, is

A device of the character described comprising side members having rung-engaging notches, a supporting frame pivotally connected with the side members adjacent to their lower ends, foldable link braces connecting said supporting frame with the side members near the upper ends of the latter, and catches composed of hook members pivotally connected with the side members and having rung-engaging notches and provided with pins, the side members being provided at their upper ends with seats for the reception of said pins, and said hook members being provided with slots engaging the pins upon which they are pivotally mounted.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN K. F. RUOK.

W'itnesses:

H. F. DREMEYER, C. E. Porn. 

